It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 17. It is also proposed to take No. 1 without debate.
Order of Business.
Is it agreed that Item No. 1 be taken without debate? Agreed.
In view of the importance of improved competitiveness in the lead up to 1992, have the Government undertaken any comprehensive review of their legislative programme to identify those measures which should be given priority in view of the challenges that will be posed to the service sector in particular by 1992? In particular has he considered giving higher priority to amendment of the solicitors Acts in order that there can be a more competitive legal service for business and——
Is this legislation proposed?
It is proposed.
All that work is going on very actively and positively. I mentioned in Killarney at the IMI Conference that the Government have established a special committee of the Government to oversee and monitor all the work in that area. With regard to the Deputy's last point, a study on that matter is well advanced at the moment.
Will the Taoiseach give an indication, in view of the fact that the matter has now been — as he recommended the last time I raised it — discussed between the Whips but that no progress has been made, of when time will be provided to take No. 27 on today's Order Paper, the Bankruptcy Bill, Report Stage, a Bill which has been in gestation for 15 years or more?
Again I can only tell the Deputy it is a matter for the Whips, but in view of the continually improving state of the economy I do not think the matter is as urgent as it was when the Deputy was in office.
(Interruptions.)
I think the Taoiseach will agree if he studies the figures——
This must not lead to argument.
——that the facts belie the optimism expressed by him. In view of the fact that the Whips have no standing in matters of this kind and it is he who acts as Leader of the House, what intervention does he intend to make, in view of his oft' expressed interest in law reform, in having this Bill which has been hanging around——
I cannot allow a debate to arise on this matter. I have allowed the Deputy to put his question and it has been replied to.
I will look into the matter. I will talk to the Chief Whip about it.
(Limerick East): Do the Government intend to publish an amended Book of Estimates for 1988 in view of certain decisions which have reallocated resources among Votes particularly in the education area? If the Taoiseach is not producing an amended Book of Estimates will be consider some mechanism of providing the new, accurate amounts in each Vote, particularly in education, to the House?
No, there is no need for any revision of the Book of Estimates or publication of any such revised Estimates. The Government are adhering strictly to the principle that in any case where additional or unforeseen expenditures arise under any heading they must be compensated for within that Estimate.
(Limerick East): For the information of the House, it is appropriate when there have been readjustments in Government policy for whatever reasons that the House should be provided with the information of where the extra costs will be incurred and how the compensating savings will be achieved. I think that is fair, and the Minister for Finance should use some suitable opportunity to provide us with that information.
Certainly it would be if any matters of that kind arose but nothing of that kind has arisen. There is nothing of any significance or importance that would justify the publication of any revised figures or Estimates.
(Limerick East): A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Noonan, you will appreciate that we cannot debate or go into questioning on the matter on the Order of Business.
(Limerick East): The Taoiseach knows from his experience that a quart does not go into a pint bottle and if you are going to get——
This is leading to argument.
(Limerick East):——1,700 redundancies in teaching that is a significant change in expenditure. Where are you going to get the money?
Leave all that to us.
Deputy Jim Mitchell.
(Limerick East): We left it to them in 1979, 1980 and 1981 and we know where it led us. I am afraid we may be going there again.
(Interruptions.)
Arising from what the Taoiseach said about resources being found within the same Estimates and in view of the reported agreement on the primary school pupil-teacher ratio with the INTO, will the Taoiseach allow a debate on education in the House because——
This does not arise on the Order of Business.
I am asking the question in view of the cutbacks——
(Interruptions.)
——which will be visited on other areas of education.
On a number of occasions I have sought to obtain from the Taoiseach the precise timetable in this session with respect to two pieces of legislation and he has referred the matter through me to the Whips. In view of the failure by my Whip to get any kind of commitment from the Government Chief Whip, can the Taoiseach indicate to the House when it is proposed to take the Building Control Bill, Committee Stage, and the Housing Bill, 1988?
They will be taken in this session.
I am concerned about contributing to the Finance Bill today without being in full possession of the figures. Will the Ceann Comhairle consider establishing some mechanism whereby the Opposition can ascertain the——
The Deputy can ventilate his grievances in respect of that matter on the Finance Bill, the Committee Stage of which will be debated shortly.
I hope to speak on the Finance Bill today, but without the figures——
(Interruptions.)
May I raise on the Adjournment the same matter which I sought to raise yesterday, the requirement by the Department of Social Welfare to get three written notes of a job refusal from people on unemployment benefit or assistance?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In view of the decision of the Minister for Health to abolish the advisory committees of the health boards, will he inform the House when he proposes to introduce the necessary legislation to regularise that decision?
Is this legislation promised?
It is necessary.
It does not arise now.
A decision was promised.
The Deputy has many ways and means open to him to raise this matter.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the suitability of Baldoyle racecourse as a site for the national sports centre.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
In relation to my remarks about the health boards, could the Taoiseach say when the legislation will be before the House?
No legislation has been promised.
It was promised in answer to a Dáil question in March.